Events

One pass, unlimited WOW moments...

Get unlimited entry this summer, to both Catalyst Science Discovery Centre & Museum and Norton Priory Museum & Gardens for you and the whole family!

Each WOW pass grants unlimited General Admission to up to two adults and three children (age 0-16) to both museums until 30th September, 2025.

This includes any activities at Norton Priory marked as Discover Norton or included with General Admission!

Norton Priory opening times can be found here: https://www.nortonpriory.org/

Catalyst opening times can be found here: https://www.catalyst.org.uk/

Please note: the WOW pass can only be used by the individual/s named on the card and only applies to General Admission, not special events (unless otherwise stated). When booking your WOW pass via Norton Priory, you will be asked to book the date of your first visit, and your pass will be available to collect from Norton Priory on that date.

Enjoy family-friendly craft activities on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the school holidays!

Activities will be running from 28th July to 26th August on Mondays and Tuesdays, 11am to 3pm, with different themes each week!

• Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th July - Celebrating the Festival of Archaeology we will be thinking about Norton Priory as an Infirmary. Make your own skeleton, a lollipop stick canon and try to heal the Norton Priory patients.
• Monday 4th August and Tuesday 5th August - This summer at Norton Priory is ‘Summer of Stories’. Make your own story book inspired by Norton Priory’s history and book mark.
• Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th August - We are celebrating animals. Both real and mythical! Make your own animal mask, mythical creature collage and pine-cone creature.
• Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th August - The Brooke Family lived at Norton Priory for 400 years. Find out about the toys and games the Brooke family children would have played with and make your own paper plate rocking horse.
• Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th August - Norton Priory’s research dig is on! Have a go at making your own Norton Priory ‘lift the flap’ discovery dig and see what you can find, have a go at a cookie excavation and write a postcard through time.

Come and try your skills at comic illustration with celebrated artist Stuart Harrison in these three fun workshops. Liverpool based illustrator Stu will be taking inspiration from his book, Brave Maeve, an exciting adventure story linking 6000 years of Irish folklore to today. These special art workshops will introduce visitors to the skills and techniques of comic art, and allow you to create your own adventure!

Stu is an illustrator and cartoonist, writing and drawing for children’s books and media. Stu also writes and draws regular comic strips. Past titles he has worked on include My Little Pony, Dinoboy and Go Jetters. He created all the animated assets for the BAFTA winning “Level UP” website for the BBC. He also teaches game design at LMA in Liverpool.

Workshops are on Tuesday 5th and 28th August at 11am, 1pm and 2pm. 

An autism-friendly afternoon at Norton Priory.

Because we appreciate that busy and noisy environments can be challenging for some people, we are holding an autism-friendly afternoon during the summer holidays. 

Based on guidance by the National Autistic Society and feedback from the Relaxed Mars evening, the following measures to support autistic and neurodiverse visitors will be in place:

• There will be quiet background music in the museum atrium.
• A written guide has been produced to help visitors know what to expect, available below.
• Staff working on the day will be briefed on the event.
• Hand dryers in the toilets will be switched off.
• A retreat space will be available for anyone who needs to take a break and sit down.
• Visitor numbers will be monitored and limited if need be - but with the outside spaces open the site can be calm and tranquil, even with a lot of visitors!
• Where possible, windows will be opened in the museum to provide ventilation.
• Many of our visitors love our trails for children! There will be trails available on the day.
• The choice of date and time is based on feedback from Relaxed Mars, typical footfall, and peak periods to try and ensure a calm environment.

On the day, the museum will be open from 10am-5pm and the Walled Garden from 1-4pm, and we will ensure that the above measures are in place by 3pm. We encourage anyone visiting for the autism afternoon to visit the Walled Garden before its closing time! Maps of the site will be available from the museum reception.

You can access and download a sensory guide to Norton Priory here

You can access and download a guide to the Relaxed Norton afternoon here

#AutismHour

Historia Normannis present a siege special at Norton Priory Museum & Gardens. See an exciting battle on the event field where medieval knights and soldiers attack the palisades with siege engines and 12th century weaponry.

In between acts, explore our dynamic living history encampment to see the clothes, food, crafts and skills of every day medieval life. Discover Norton Priory's medieval history through our permanent museum gallery displays and historic ruins.

There will also be family friendly crafts in the classroom, trails around the museum and gardens, and why not take your photo trying on some of our medieval fashions!

Timetable:

• 10.00 - Site opens to public 
• 11.00 - Act 1 (main field)
• 12.00 - Fashion Show (outside the priory)
• 13.00 - Act 2 (main field)
• 14.00 - Shire Court (outside the priory)
• 15.00 - Act 3 (main field)
• 17.00 - Event close

Join Halton Libraries as we share stories celebrating nature and the great outdoors. Staff from Halton Libraries will share stories and help you join in a simple activity – easy enough for you to re-create at home in your own outdoor space. Bring along a picnic blanket or a chair for the session.

Suitable for ages 3-10 years old.

While Norton Priory hosts the CBBC characters Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men this summer on loan, we invite visitors to make their own flowerpot creation in this fun filled family craft activity!

This eco-friendly activity re-uses and recycles old flowerpots from the Georgian Walled Garden, and will inspire visitors to make their own personalized flowerpot creation. Artist Juliet Staines will take you through the process, and all materials are provided.

Celebrate St Augustine's Day with The St Nicholas Singers. This popular chamber quintet are are delighted to be returning to Norton Priory to help us celebrate St Augustine of Hippo, who's teachings influenced the medieval canons of Norton.

The afternoon will feature historic summer music including madrigals, part songs and choral pieces by early composers, with musical references to St Augustine. Performance times will be advertised on the day, and will take place at various locations around the museum and outdoor grounds.

Quince and Apple Weekend is back at Norton Priory, offering a delightful experience for the entire family. This annual event showcases the best produce from the walled garden, where you can purchase fresh apples, quince and other produce grown at Norton Priory. Dive into creative craft activities and explore a marketplace filled with unique offerings from local businesses! Whether you're looking to pick up some fresh produce or enjoy a fun-filled day of entertainment, Quince and Apple Weekend promises something for everyone.

This is a Discover Norton event and is included with General Admission, plus children go free!* Book online ahead of time for a discount! Pre-booking closes at 11:45 the night before your visit. But if you miss out, you can pay for General Admission on arrival!

*Up to 3 children free per full priced adult ticket, additional children will be charged.

Norton Priory is always looking for unique local businesses and artists for our events. If you are interested in being a stallholder at Norton Priory for this event, or any of our fairs, please contact bookings@nortonpriory.org

Step into the festive spirit and kick off your Christmas shopping with a wonderful selection of food, crafts, and gifts from local businesses. The museum will be filled with a variety of stalls, offering everything you need to find the perfect presents for loved ones. From handcrafted treasures to delicious treats, you’re bound to find a stocking filler or two! Enjoy musical entertainment and festive food and drink while you browse and soak up the seasonal atmosphere.

As well as entry to the fair, admission tickets include access to the museum, ruins and woodlands. After picking up some wonderful Christmas gifts, why not enjoy a lovely winter walk in Norton Priory's woodlands?

Norton Priory is always looking for unique local businesses and artists for our events. If you are interested in being a stallholder at Norton Priory for this event, or any of our fairs, please contact bookings@nortonpriory.org